Rest for You
Matthew 11:28-30
Are you weary, carrying a heaven burden? Then come to Me. I will refresh your life, for I am your oasis. 29 Simply join your life with mine. Learn my ways and you’ll discover that I’m gentle, humble, easy to please. You will find refreshment and rest in me. 30 For all that I require of you will be pleasant and easy to bear.
Have there been times in your life when life’s challenges have felt like they were becoming too heavy to bear? The cares and responsibilities of life some days can wear us down. Maybe you are a young student with a heavy study load as well as having to be responsible for a part or full-time job. Maybe you are a parent with multiple children and have the great responsibility of providing, training, disciplining and nurturing 24/7. Or maybe you’re battling a physical challenge that seems to linger rather than a quick recovery. What about financial challenges, feeling like you can never get ahead. Just when it looks like you’re going to cut a break and move ahead, another bill comes rolling in. Maybe it's the care of an elderly parent whose needs are very demanding. For all of these myriads of challenges, Jesus says to come to Him. He tells us that He will refresh our life as He is an oasis. When I hear the word “oasis,” I get this visual of a beautiful tropical island with lush foliage, warm tropical breezes and topaz waters surrounding this magnificent sunlit island in a land far away. All cares are in the past, and I’m free of dread and fear. When I pull aside and lay everything and everyone at the feet of Jesus, I feel His life begin to enter my inner being and the cares of my life roll off like a overly heavy weight. Ah! How awesome that feels! Jesus so simple tells us to come to Him, pull aside and join Him, sharing, listening and meditating on what He is imparting. Drink in His Word to learn His ways of living and thinking and being. As you draw closer and closer you will sense how gentile, humble, and easy to please He is. He’s not uncomfortable to be around, and the more time you spend with Him, the more He allows You to see into His heart and learn His ways. It’s like taking a long, cool swim on a hot summer’s day. Immersing yourself in the cool waters of His great grace and unconditional love will not only refresh but cause you to find and take your rest in Him. Jesus doesn’t have evil or gruesome plans for your life, but pleasant and easy to bear plans. Remember, He already knows the way you are to take. Jesus is our main and most prominent cheerleader and will continue to be all throughout your life. He is for you and not against you. As my English grandmother would say, “Buck up, ole girl.” You are not alone! He is with you to strengthen you today, and not only help you but guide and guard your every step through this day. Blessings to you today.
What about you? Does your burden feel too heavy? Cast all your care on Him right now. Jesus really does care for you and is leading and guiding your every step. Keep your eyes on Him and watch and expect good things today. He loves you so.